{"id":1,"date":"2024-02-29T02:16:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T02:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/food.harryotto.com\/?p=1"},"modified":"2024-05-01T16:08:57","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T16:08:57","slug":"hello-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/food.harryotto.com\/?p=1","title":{"rendered":"The True Cost of Roasters; In Money & In Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is a tale of 3 different chickens. Everyone goes nuts over the $4.98 \u201cMember\u2019s Mark \u2122\ufe0f\u201d roaster at Sam’s Club, but it’s definitely not the “deal” you think, it’s also not the chicken \u201cquality\u201d you think you’re getting. I compared 3 stores: Sam’s, Wegmans, and Whole Foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wegmans and Sam’s sell the same brine-soaked chickens you’d find at Acme, Stop & Shop, and ShopRite. So, keep in mind that only Whole Foods sells a real, all natural, non-nonsense pure chicken roaster. *<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First, let’s look at Wegmans. Wegmans is probably one of the biggest fraudsters when it comes to their own brands. They label their roaster as “all natural,” and this couldn’t be a bigger lie.

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Their roaster is $9.99 and includes an arsenal of unneeded ingredients and 14% of added salt-water weight, so you don’t get what you think you’re paying for. The laundry list of ingredients in their “all natural” chicken is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Added Water <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Sea salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. More salt (680mg per 3oz!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Paprika<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Spices<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Dextrose<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Garlic powder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Onion powder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Extractives of paprika<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Silicon dioxide<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Now let’s look at Whole Foods. This is the only store that sells the roaster in its 100% honest, all-natural form. No brine, no chemicals, no added color or flavors. Just 100% chicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Whole Foods roaster is $8.99 for a 4lb chicken. And there’s no added salt-water weight to deduct. This is the “real deal.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now finally we get to Sam’s Club. One thing you need to know is that anytime you see a food product with the logo “Member\u2019s Mark\u2122\ufe0f”, you can count on the absolute lowest quality with massive amounts of artificial and questionable ingredients. The focus at Sam’s is 100% price and not quality or health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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    Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The laundry list of their roaster, which includes a ridiculous 18% of added salt-water weight, is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Water: Added to help reduce food cost by adding weight but may make the ingredient list seem less natural.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Sodium phosphates: Also, for moisture retention but can make the product appear more processed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Seasoning (salt, yeast extract, natural flavors): While salt is a common seasoning, yeast extract and undefined “natural flavors” may concern customers seeking recognizable ingredients. 430mg of sodium for a 3oz serving!<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Chicken fat: Understandable addition for flavor, but some may question the need for extra fat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Chicken broth: Logical ingredient for added flavor and moisture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Yellow corn flour: Part of the spice rub but may give the impression of a filler ingredient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Salt: Listed again as part of the spice rub, adding to the overall sodium content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Spices: Ambiguous term that may leave customers wondering what exactly is included.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Yellow corn flour: Another potentially unnecessary filler ingredient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    10. Paprika [color]: Used for coloring, which may not appeal to customers seeking natural ingredients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    11. Garlic powder: A common seasoning, but some may prefer fresh garlic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    12. Sugar: Adds sweetness but may not be desired in a savory dish like roasted chicken.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    13. Citric acid: Likely used as a preservative but may contribute to a processed image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    14. Onion powder: Similar to garlic powder, a common seasoning, but fresh onion might be preferred.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    15. Paprika oleoresin [color]: Another coloring agent that may not appeal to health-conscious customers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    16. Natural flavors: Undefined and may raise questions about the naturalness of the product.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    17. Color [with paprika]: Yet another coloring ingredient that contributes to a processed appearance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      So what’s the conclusion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1.  Sam\u2019s Club \u201c430mg Sodium\u201d \ud83d\ude91 Chicken:\n\u2022   Price: $4.98\n2.  Whole Foods Chicken:\n\u2022   Price: $8.99\n3.  Wegmans \u201c680mg Sodium\u201d \ud83d\ude91 Chicken:\n\u2022   Price: $9.99<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      So, in reality, after deducting the water weight, the prices per ounce and per pound are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      \u2022   Sam\u2019s Club Chicken: $0.1265\/oz, $2.02\/lb \ud83d\udc4e\n\u2022   Whole Foods Chicken: $0.1168\/oz, $1.85\/lb<\/strong> \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\n\u2022   Wegmans Chicken: $0.3417\/oz, $5.87\/lb \ud83d\udc4e<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Believe it or not, the Whole Foods “all natural” chicken comes in at the “best deal” at $1.85 per pound, with the chemical-laden Sam’s roaster close behind at $2.02.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      What I didn’t expect, and you probably wouldn’t either, is Wegmans with their absurd price of $5.87 per pound<\/strong>. That’s absolutely insane for this chemical-laden chicken with the deceptive packaging that makes you think you’re getting “Whole Foods” quality when it’s the same chicken you’d get at Acme or Stop & Shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      BEST DEAL & HEALTHIEST: Whole Foods \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f
      2ND BEST DEAL & UNHEALTHIEST: Sam’s
      WORST DEAL & ALSO UNHEALTHY: Wegmans<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      *Shoprite recently began to sell a honest all-natural chicken as well! I couldn\u2019t include it because they overcook their chicken to the point where they literally \u201cexplode\u201d. See the video here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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